Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-24
ST. JOSEPH,s ACADEMY.
Commencement Exercises at the Sistel
of Mercx,s Conuenf

l mdS very large dttenuduCe, COuSlueraDi
in excess of the capacity of the spaciou
auditorium of the academy. There wer
present Right Rev. Bishop Manogue, tn
chief guest; Father Leo Nord, of ST. Igna
thus College, San Francisco Rev. Fathe
Grace, DID,, of St. Rose Parish, Sacramento
the clergy of the Cathedral of the Mos
Holy Sacrament, Captain Thomay Dwyer
Rev. DR.. Taubenhaus of the Jewish Syna
gogue, L. Elkus, Felix Dunn, Colonel T
w. Sheehan, and representatives of tn,
press, who, as invited guests, occupied tn,
academic rostrum. The walls of the audi
forum of the school-room were adorned
with examples of the needlework of the
pupils of the school, which testified to the
high degree of skill and fine taste attained
by the pupils in that handicraft, and with
floral and evergreen decorations. On the
| rostrum were placed six Mathushek pianos
and seats for invited guests, ample
room being reserved for the classes OF
pupils that took part-in the exercises In
fifteen years of attendance upon the Com
mencements of this educational institu-
ton, we have witnessed no Commence.
ment that was of greater credit to the
academy. The chief features for COM
mendation were the excellence in read
ing-enunciation and expression evidently
having been made especial aims of the
teachers-time and expression in music,
both vocal and instrumental, and absolute
exacttude in discipline and training.
The programme was long and the num-
bers distinguished by such general excel
lence that to refer to any with special par
tlcularity would be invidious and possibly
be deemed unwarranted discrimination It
may, however, be remarked that three
numbers led the audience to demand en-
cores, to wit: the remarkable dramatic eff
feet OF the song Erin Machree,r by Miss
III. Shields; the natural and unstudied
recitation. The Perplexed Housekeeper, !"
by Miss Julia Wiseman. and comic
duet by little Misses NJ. Sheehan and A.
A. Murphy. The requirements of Justice
in recognition of worth also demand that
especial mention be made of the superior
ity of the musical performance by one of
the graduates, Miss Nellie Sheehan, who
took the leading award for excellence in
music. The young lady acted as ac-
compaEist through the whole programme,
and very much of its success was due to
her nice discrimination and fine taste. 1t
is not all good instrumental performers
who are good accompanies, peculiar tai
ent in that capacity being given to but the
few, who aid, support and adapt to the
singer.
The diplomas, awards, medals and
crowns were announced by Rev. Father
Grace and delivered by Bishop Manogue,
after very happy valedictory address by
Miss ]. Hughes. The Bishop addressed
the graduates and the audience at some
length upon the twin essentials-virtue
and learning-dwelling upon the desira-
bility of Christian education in building
character. He illustrated his theme bV
citation of examples of pagan refinement
and learning where Christian morality
was not a factor, and comparing the
same with the advantages of this day when
the two he held are inseparable in
symmetrical char acter. In the valedictory
portion OF the text was addressed to the
teachers-the Sisters of Mercy, but these
retiring people did not appear as faculty
or otherwise upon the rostrum, as is the
custom in most educational institutions,
1t is submitted that this retiring disposition
on the part of these tireless workers is ex-
cessive, and that in the interests of the
school they should be willing to be seen on
such occasions upon the rostrum with their
pupils. The conventual rule that keeps
them in the background may be well
enough in their general work, but WHY
should not the successful teacher stand
along with the pupil in the closing exer-
clses OF school that sends new freightage
of youth out into the world to commence
the real battle of life? The religious seclu-
sion to which such teachers have devoted
themselves would not, it would seem. be
invaded by such conformity to custom
IN other educational institutions.
The floral tributes to the pupils by admir-
ing friends were many and very beautiful,
and the applause warm on the part of the
people as the several numbers were rem
dered. Nevertheless, a young gentleman
of the clergy recently from the East re-
marked to the RECORD UNION representa-
tive, What an unresponsive, cold and
critical people you of the West are. Such
an exhibition of excellence in music and
reading, by youths. in the East would call
fourth storms of applause and enthusiastic
demonstrations generally" To which it
was replied that the religious character of
the surroundings acted as a restraint upon
enthusiasm with a California audience.
which in public hall would be hearty
enough IN its manifestations of pleasure
to which the shrewd-eyed young clergy
man responded with deprecating shrug of
his shoulders. The programme of the
commencement exercises, in which the
Sisters OF Mercy have every reason to be
proud, was as follows:
"Silver Trumpets," quartet, on six pianos.
by twelve performers; "Auxilium Christian
orum," hymn, singing class opening address,
Miss NJ. Holahan; 1.-The Relief of Lucknow"
twenty-eight pupils, elocution class; "Bijnu"
solo, six performers on six pianos; 1.-The Christ
ening; comic recitation, twelve juveniles;
The Woodbird's Song vocal duet, Misses j.
Wiseman and A Burns christmas Eve" reel
taticn, Miss ]. Hughes; 1.-The Lost Ship quar-
tet, twenty-tour voices of the singing class: La
Refine de Chypre, grand duo, Misses Sheehan
ana Hassett; THE Crest of sarsfeId." twenty
foul voices of the elocution class: Sisters
Brit lday, duet, twenty voices of the Juvenile
singing class; The Priests Leap. recitation,
Miss J. Niseman; Caprice de Concert" piano
solo, \. Sheehan; Fourth of July" recitation,
Miss a. MaGdn; "a Song for Our Banner
quartet, twenty-four voices of the singing class:
Coming Step juvenile trio, six pianos and
eighteen performers; ''0Connells Heart reel
tation, Mis- NJ. Dwyer; Erin Machree.'' vocal
solo, Miss III. Shields; Home, Sweet Home
solo, six pianos and SIX performers; The Per
picked Housekeeper," recitation, Miss J. Wise
man; ''vyer Hill, Over Dale" duet twenty four
voices of the singing class; Matrimonial
Murphy; "Concordantia, quartet, six pianos
and twelve performers: domino Quo Vadis."
recitation, ten graduates; ''Ecce Panis," solo,
duet and chorus, singing class; vaedctorv
Miss ]. Hughes; comforting OF honors by Right
Rev. Bishop Manogue; graduates farewell solo
and chorus; "Ivanhoe Commanding March,"
duet, twelve performers.
Those who gave instrumental musical
selections were:
Bijou"-Misses A Sheehan, II. Quinn. A.
Burns, A. Afa16en. A. Curran and L. Reeves.
" Concordantia Misses n. Sheehan, ]. Wise
man, J. Hughes NJ. Dwyer, NJ Boliahan, L.
Holcran, L. Hassett, J.. Guth, A. Sheehan, M.
Quinn. a Burns and X. Quinn. Home Sweet
Home Misses K. Hassett. n. Sheehan, ]. Wise
man, J. Hughes, NJ Dwyer and NJ HoIlahan
Silver Trumpets Misses A Sheehan. NJ
Mund, n. Schaw, n. Shields, NJ. Schaw. L. Sulli-
van, A. Dunno, NJ White, A. Cadogan, E. Storer,
J. Allen ard B. Schroeder. Ivanhoe Misses
A. Madden, A. Curran, L. Guth, L. Holloran, l..
Reeves, n. Schaw, NJ. Schaw, A. Dunno, NJ
Mund, X. Quinn, n. Healy and l. Stoeffer
Coming Step Misses NJ k. and Z. Sheehan
N. and B. Duffy, L. Schilling, l. Davis, s. Nc
Kearney, NJ. Shea, V. Cornell NJ. MeNasser, A.
o. Brien. A. Mooney, l. Hopve, f. Thompson. A.
NJ. and X. Dunno.
In the school department graduating
honors consisting of diploma, gold medal
and laurel crowns, were awarded to the
following: Misses ]. Hughes, A. Curran,
A. Madden, ]. Wiseman, NJ. Ryan and NJ
Hollahan.
The following, to graduate next year, re-
ceived preparatory diplomas, silver medals
and gold crown: Misses A. Burns, NJ
Dwyer. L. Mund. Ribbon and silver crown
to L. Halloran.
Certificates of proficiency for year: Misses
L. Halloran, A. Sheehan, A. Dunno, NJ.
Scully, w. Judge, L. Reeves, L. O'Brien,
L. Cook, X. Quinn, T. Denny, NJ. Quirien.
NJ. Heisen, n. Schaw, V. Cornell, NJ.